title: Observation of 4 nm pitch stripe domains formed by exposing graphene to ambient air.
abstract: We study epitaxial graphene on the 6H-SiC(0001) surface under ambient conditions using frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy. We observe large terraces with a self-assembled stripe structure within a highly adsorbate covered surface on top of the graphene. To identify the origin of the structure, we compare the experimental data on graphene with calculations and experiments on graphite that predict the formation of a solid-gas monolayer in the solid-liquid interface of hydrophobic surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Institut für experimentelle und angewandte Physik, Universität Regensburg , 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wastl
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Speck
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wutscher
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ostler
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seyller
authors.forename: Franz J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Giessibl